Inflatable tent

ABSTRACT

A lightweight, portable tent having low volume, high pressure inflatable support air passages formed from the overlap and sealing of the wall panels of the tent, and a kit including the tent and an inflating device.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/340,602, filed on Mar. 19, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tents, and in particular to inflatable tents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tents have always been used as temporary shelter in the outdoors. An entire industry has emerged in response to camping's popularity as a recreational activity. This has included the development of tents of all shapes and sizes, catering to individual campers, as well as larger groups; to hikers who carry their equipment with them, as well as to drivers who pack their equipment in their vehicle; and to those who camp in extreme heat or cold and in all temperatures in between. There are several drawbacks implicit with the typical tents used as personal camping equipment, however. In particular, they may be heavy, unwieldy, and or difficult to erect. Much of this is due to the inclusion of essentially rigid tent poles in the tent's assembly for use as the frame of the tent. The industry has responded to these challenges with the development of a number of tents that substitute some or all of the rigid tent poles with inflatable frames and/or inflatable tent sections. Several different methods for forming these inflatable sections and/or securing them to the remainder of the tent have been developed within the art.

Most inflatable tents use inflatable frames. U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,086, for example, discloses a tent that has a flexible canopy, a floor, and a series of inflatable tubes serving as frame hoops. The tent comprises a flexible canopy, a plurality of inflatable tubes independent of the canopy, and tube holding means for detachably securing the inflatable tubes in an inflated state to the canopy for supporting the canopy in an erected condition. Preferably, the tube holding means are flexible sleeves secured to the tent canopy. Each sleeve has an end-to-end opening along one side and sleeve fasteners for closing the sleeve. The preferred sleeve fastener is the hook and loop fastener material sold under the trademark “Velcro”.

Although this tent is an improvement over traditional tents in that it lacks tent poles, it has the disadvantage that it is made of several separate pieces. If a piece is inadvertently misplaced or separated from the rest of the tent, a user may find himself in the middle of the woods, unable to put up his tent. Moreover, even if all pieces of the tent remain together, the plurality of pieces makes their organization into the proper formation to erect the tent more difficult.

In response to such a difficulty, several inflatable tents have been developed that are one integrated piece. Patent Application US 2007/0169803, for example, discloses an airframe supported tent. This application discloses two different ways for forming the airframe and a way for attaching the airframe to the tent panels to be used with either way for forming the airframe. The first way for forming the airframe includes redundant airbeams enclosing bladders. The redundant airbeams are preferably made of two sheets of dimensionally stable synthetic fabric. The bladders are inflatable members and contained within the redundant airbeams. The bladders are elastic and airtight, and are used to receive and hold air. The two sheets of dimensionally stable synthetic fabric are joined together at a top seam with top-stitching, a bottom seam with a basting stitch and edge binding, and a midseam with double stitching through sewing flaps. RF welding may be substituted for stitching as a way of joining the two sheets of dimensionally stable synthetic fabric. The second way for forming the airframe includes only the redundant airbeams with no bladders, where the redundant airbeams are RF welded. With either way for forming the airframe, sewing flaps are sewn or welded to the midseam of the airframe. The tent's panels may then be sewn to the sewing flaps to form the body of the tent.

Although this tent is an improvement over one that includes several parts, it too has disadvantages. Having redundant airbeams does provide a solution to the possibility that one airbeam would become punctured or damaged. The inclusion of a second airbeam, however, increases the overall amount of material used in the tent, thus adding cost to its manufacture and weight for its ultimate user. The inclusion of bladders within the airbeams does the same. Moreover, as the bladders are housed within the airbeams, should a bladder become punctured or otherwise damaged, accessing the bladder for repair or replacing the bladder would be difficult or impossible.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,829 also discloses an inflatable tent with inflatable tubes defining the perimeter of the tent structure. This patent discloses another way in which the inflatable frame of the tent is formed and attached to the body of the tent. The tubes are fabricated from a rubberized fabric or thermoplastic sheet material having a wall structure of sufficient density to resist passage of air under pressure. Wall panels are suspended beneath and between the tubes by means of flanges formed on the bottom of each of the tubes. Each flange is formed by adhering together adjacent material of the tube and heat welding or cementing the adjacent walls together along both the length and width of the flange. The tube and the adjacent wall panels are connected together by stitching the adjacent edges of the flange and the wall panels together. Thereafter, the entire stitched structure may be overtaped to further secure the seam and to provide a neater looking joint.

Although this tent is an improvement over the tent of 2007/0169803 in that it eliminates some of the extra material included in that tent, it also has disadvantages. Specifically, as the tubes are separate pieces from the wall panels, although efforts may be made to adequately secure them together, there is always the possibility that the tubes could become separated from the wall panels, leaving the tent frameless and unusable.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,478 also discloses an inflatable tent with a joint portion between two adjacent faces disposed with an inflating passage which can be inflated and expanded to stretch and support the tent. This patent discloses yet another way in which the inflatable frame is formed and attached to the body of the tent. The tent is made of two sheets of waterproof nylon cloth by means of cutting, adhering, and sewing. The joint portion between two adjacent faces is not applied with adhesive agent and is reserved as an inflating passage. Thus, the inflating passage of the tent is defined by two layers of waterproof nylon cloth which are free from adhesive agent, whereby the inflating passage can be inflated with air without obstacle.

Although this tent is an improvement over the tent of U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,829 in that the joint portion and the faces of the tent are made of the same material, and thus cannot be separated, it also has disadvantages. Specifically, as the entire tent is made of two layers of material, it is going to be roughly two times heavier than a tent that has wall panels made of one layer only.

Not all inflatable tents include inflatable frames, but may include entire inflatable sections as the body of the tent. U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,435, for example, discloses a hemispherical inflatable tent of a plurality of compartments, each compartment being generally in the shape of orange sections. This patent discloses how its inflatable sections are sealed and attached to one another. Each section has an inside face and an outside face. These sections are formed as follows: The inside face is folded under and outwardly to form an inner flap and the outside face is folded inwardly to form an outer flap. These flaps are sealed with PVC adhesive and sewn at an inner seal and an outer seal. To secure these sections together to form the body of the tent, PVC adhesive is used to seal the two flaps of the first section (sealed as described above) with the two flaps of the second section (also sealed as described above) and the joint is further held together with an outside nylon sewn seal and an inside sewn seal.

This tent also has disadvantages. First, as almost the entire structure must be inflated, quite simply, it requires a great deal of inflation. No matter the method of inflation, be it pump, human lung, or compressed gas, this tent will require much more effort for inflation than its counterparts that include only inflatable frames. Moreover, given the size, complexity, and abundance of materials used in this tent's manufacture, it will be considerably heavier than many other inflatable tents.

Still other patents include both inflatable elements and more rigid traditional elements. U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,545, for example, discloses an inflatable air celled tent with a front portion consisting of hollow tubing and a body composed of a series of air cells. This patent discloses a different way in which its air cells are formed. The air cells in both the top of the tent and in the bottom are sealed one to the other by any convenient sealing means, the easiest of which is a heat seal. Each air cell has a flange or piece of material extending past the closed portion of the cell and these flanges may be sealed together to provide the alternating air cells and strips of material.

This tent suffers from several of the disadvantages noted in reference to other patents or applications above. It is made of several pieces, for example, thus there is the possibility of losing one or more pieces and/or the difficulty of putting the tent together. The material of the air cells is not reinforced in anyway, so provides no more rigidity than the strips of material between the air cells. And as a large portion of the tent is inflatable, it requires more inflation work to put it up.

As touched on above, another challenge inherent with inflatable tents is the manner in which to inflate them. Several different methods for inflating inflatable tents are disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,829, for example, discloses a standard air valve that permits connection with a source of air, such as a small air compressor of the type operated off of a car battery or a foot operated manual pump. These methods have their drawbacks. An air compressor operated off of a car battery requires a car, and not all campers bring a vehicle. A foot operated manual pump may be heavy, bulky, and/or unwieldy. 2007/0169803 discloses an integrated pump in which the user blows into an oral inflation valve to fill the pouch of the integrated pump and the pouch is then compressed (by the user's foot or hand) to create the pressure necessary to sufficiently inflate the bladders. This method is disadvantageous in that it requires human lung capacity. Not all campers may have the requisite lung capacity. Even if they do, they may be disinclined to use it, especially after the exertion of a hike.

Finally, the rigidity of the inflatable portions can be an issue with inflatable tents. When the frames of the tent are inflatable, the larger the tubes of the frame, the more pressure is necessary to keep them rigid. The more pressure that is supplied, however, the more likely is a breach in the tubes. Some tents, such as that taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,367, for example, have begun to address this problem by making the tubes fairly small—1½ inch diameter in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,367. Other tents, such as that taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,617, for example, attempt to solve the problem of rigidity by making the tent able to accommodate higher pressures within the inflatable tubes—20-30 pounds pressure in the case of U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,617. Although these patents disclose improvements over other larger volume, lower pressured inflatable tents, there remains a need for still lower volume air passages that can withstand still higher pressures.

Therefore, there is a need for an inflatable tent that is one integrated piece, and thus easy to erect; of simple, lightweight construction; with the frame being an extension of the body of the tent as far as the material used for both; with reinforcement within the frame; whose inflatable air passages are low volume and able to withstand high pressure; that may be easily and quickly inflated.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In its most basic form, the present invention is a tent with inflatable air passages for supports. The tent includes a plurality of wall panels, air passages integral to and formed from the wall panels, and a perimeter.

The preferred tent is a dome with a regular hexagonal footprint. In other embodiments, the tent has a different shaped footprint, such as a square, rectangle, or octagon. In other embodiments, the tent is of other configurations, including pup tent, tunnel, or pyramid. In some embodiments, the tent includes a fly that detachably covers the tent to provide additional shade or shelter from the elements.

The wall panels form the body of the tent and are made out of a lightweight, breathable material. The lightweight material is preferably nylon, specifically Oregon Nylon Oxford brand nylon. Oregon Nylon Oxford brand nylon is urethane back coated for water, mildew, and rot resistance, and lightweight—only 3.5 ounces per square yard of material. In other embodiments, the lightweight material is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly sold under the trademark GORE-TEX (owned by W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del.), which is breathable and waterproof. In some embodiments, the lightweight material is a mesh. The lightweight material may also be composite vx-21 fabric, spectra, 1050 denier ballistic nylon, event fabric, silicone impregnated ripstop nylon, cuben fiber reinforced spinnaker fabric, event 3-layer waterproof/breathable fabric, Polartec Powershield by Malden Mills, EPIC by Nextec microfiber, sleek nylon, flexible thermoplastic material, polyester fabric, Griffolya Co. plastic laminate, nylon cloth reinforced, plasticized polyvinyl chloride polymer film, or rubberized fabric. The wall panels extend from the top of the tent to the ground, where they have a bottom edge. The bottom edge has two bottom edge sides and a bottom edge length extending between the two bottom edge sides. The wall panels also have two side edges that extend from the top of the tent to the bottom edge, where the two side edges intersect with the two bottom edge sides.

The air passages provide support for the tent and are integral to and formed from the wall panels. They are formed by an overlap of the two side edges of adjacent wall panels such that the air passages are essentially a continuation of the wall panels. The air passages are formed as follows. The side edges of adjacent wall panels are overlapped preferably between 1 and 2 inches. The center 3/16 to ¼ inches of this overlap are left as an opening that will be the air passage. In some embodiments, the overlap and center opening may be smaller or larger than these specifications. The opening has an opening edge on either side, which runs the length of the overlap, parallel to the overlap. The remaining overlap of wall panels on either side of the opening is sealed along the opening edges. The preferred sealing is effected through ultrasonic welding, whereby high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the overlap of lightweight material on either side of the opening, such that it is held together under pressure to create a solid-state weld. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing is achieved by stitching at least one line, and preferably two lines, on either side of the opening, along the length of the overlap, and parallel to the opening. The alternative embodiment may also include another glue line directly proximate to each opening edge, along the length of the overlap, and parallel to the opening. In other embodiments, other types of sealing commonly used in the art may be substituted for those described above.

When inflated, the opening will form a round or oblong air passage made from the two overlapping pieces of lightweight material sealed to form the opening. Thus the combined widths of the two pieces of material that form the opening will become the inner circumference of the round or oblong air passage when inflated. A lining of sealant is coated along the entire inner circumference of the opening. The sealant may be thin wall rubber or contact cement. The sealant may also extend at least part way along the overlapping material on either side of the opening between the pieces of overlapping material. The sealant will hermetically seal the opening to form the air passages for the frame of the tent. This configuration allows for the air passages to be very low volume, but to withstand very high pressure, up to 100 psi. In this manner, the air passages are so narrow and so rigid when inflated, that they are similar to poles in a conventional tent.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air passages may be connected so that they are a single hermetically sealed unit. In this manner, the entire frame may be inflated by the introduction of gas into the frame from one air input. In other embodiments, the air passages may be sealed into a number of divisions, such as quadrants, or single air passages. This provides redundancy—if one quadrant of the frame should become damaged such that it cannot be inflated, then the tent could still stand from the support provided by the other three quadrants. In this embodiment, each division will have its own air input, and each must be inflated separately in order to inflate the entire frame.

The present invention is also a kit, which in its most basic form includes the tent as described above, and an inflating device. The kit preferably also includes stakes, a patch kit, and a carrier.

The preferred inflating device is a compressed air cartridge such as those sometimes used in paintball games. A compressed air cartridge is preferable for several reasons: It is able to release a great deal of air into the air passage very quickly. It is able to store a great deal of air in a relatively small cartridge. Compressed air cartridges are easily refillable, and thus reusable. Air is not harmful to the environment or to humans. Finally, refilling compressed air cartridges costs less than refilling compressed carbon dioxide cartridges. In other embodiments, however, the inflating device may be other compressed gas cartridges, such as compressed carbon dioxide or nitrogen cartridges. The preferred compressed air or other gas cartridges hold 48 cubic inches of gas at 3000 psi. In other embodiments, the inflating device may be hand or foot operated pumps, an air compressor of the type usually operated off of a motor vehicle battery, a portable battery operated pump, and any other inflating device commonly used in the art.

The stakes are any that are commonly used in the art of camping to secure a tent to the ground. They are preferably made of metal or plastic, and have a spiked end and a hooked end. The body of the stakes is sized and dimensioned such that its body may slip through grommets attached to the tent. The spiked end is driven into the ground, and the hooked end catches onto the grommet such that it holds the grommet, and hence the tent, securely to the ground. The kit includes at least as many stakes as there are grommets attached to the tent. The kit may also include a separate carrying pouch to hold the stakes.

The kit also includes a patch kit in the event that one of the inflatable portions of the tent is punctured or otherwise damaged, or the lightweight material of the wall panels, floor, or door is ripped. The patch kit preferably includes a small area of the lightweight material, a small pair of scissors, adhesive, a small container of the hermetic sealant, and a tool for applying the hermetic sealant. These elements of the patch kit may be used as follows: The area of the lightweight material is cut to size with the scissors to cover any rips in that material on the tent. The adhesive affixes it in place. The adhesive is any adhesive, such as glue or tape, that will adequately secure the pieces of lightweight material together and is waterproof. The lightweight material patch may also be affixed into place with the hermetic sealant, which may be applied with the tool. The hermetic sealant may also be applied to any punctures in the inflatable portions of the tent to repair the puncture and make the inflatable portion airtight once more.

The carrier is a holder for all of the other contents of the kit. It may be of any type commonly used in the art, but is preferably a sack or a backpack. The sack is preferably of the standard generally cylindrical shape with a drawstring closure at the top end, as is common in the industry. The backpack preferably has a zipper closure. The carrier is preferably made of the same lightweight material as the tent, but any lightweight and sturdy material that is not prone to ripping under pressure may be substituted. The interior of the carrier preferably contains specific compartments for each element of the kit. The exterior of the carrier preferably includes a plurality of attachment devices so that the carrier may be easily secured to something else. The attachment devices may be straps, straps with hooks, clips, snaps, carabiners, or any other attachment devices commonly used in the art. A camper who hikes to his destination may have room in his satchel to keep the carrier sack and its contents in his satchel. If his satchel is filled with other items, however, it is useful that the exterior of the carrier sack may also be secured to the exterior of his satchel by the attachment devices. Similarly, a hiker may not use a satchel, and could carry a carrier backpack on his back. If he needs to carry another satchel for other items, however, it is useful that the carrier backpack may also be secured to the exterior of his satchel by the attachment devices.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide a tent that is one integrated piece.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a tent with inflatable supports.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a lightweight tent.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a tent whose frame is constructed from the edges of the tent's wall panels, and whose frame is therefore an extension of the wall panels.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a tent with a hermetic sealant lining the inner circumference of the air passages that make up the tent's frame.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a tent that may be easily and quickly inflated and thus erected.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a tent that may be easily and quickly deflated and stowed.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a portable carrier adapted to hold the tent and its accoutrement in a compact and organized manner.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the following description and accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top-down view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a support air passage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a support air passage of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the preferred inflation set-up of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of the carrier of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a cutaway view and top-down view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively. Tent 10 includes wall panels 12, support air passages 14, perimeter 46, floor 56, an air input 18, a number of grommets 20, and a door 22.

Tent 10 is the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is a dome tent with a regular hexagonal footprint with a width 32 (measured from any of the hexagon's points to its opposite point) of about 6 feet, a height 30 of about 3 feet, and a length 34 (measured from any of the hexagon's sides across the hexagon and through its center to the opposite side) of about 5 feet, 2 inches. Although these are the preferred shape and dimensions of tent 10, it is understood that tent 10 may be of several different shapes and its size may be determined by its use, so may be larger or smaller. The preferred tent is small, lightweight, and intended for use by only one or two campers.

Wall panels 12 are made out of a lightweight, breathable but sturdy material. The preferred material is nylon, specifically Oregon Nylon Oxford brand nylon. Oregon Nylon Oxford brand nylon is urethane back coated for water, mildew, and rot resistance, and lightweight—only 3.5 ounces per square yard of material. In other embodiments, the lightweight material is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly sold under the trademark GORE-TEX (owned by W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. of Newark, Del.), which is breathable and waterproof. The lightweight material may also be composite vx-21 fabric, spectra, 1050 denier ballistic nylon, event fabric, silicone impregnated ripstop nylon, cuben fiber reinforced spinnaker fabric, event 3-layer waterproof/breathable fabric, Polartec Powershield by Malden Mills, EPIC by Nextec microfiber, sleek nylon, flexible thermoplastic material, polyester fabric, Griffolya Co. plastic laminate, nylon cloth reinforced, plasticized polyvinyl chloride polymer film, or rubberized fabric. In some embodiments, the lightweight material is a mesh. Each wall panel 12 has a bottom edge 38 proximate to the bottom of tent 10. Bottom edge 38 includes bottom edge sides 39 on either side of bottom edge 38 and has a bottom edge length 45, which is the distance between bottom edge sides 39. Each wall panel 12 also includes side edges 41 extending from the top of tent 10 to the bottom, and intersections 43 where side edges 41 meet bottom edge sides 39. Tent 10 has a total of six wall panels 12, one of which is door 22. Wall panels 12 overlap to form support air passages 14. Details on how this is achieved are discussed with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B below.

In some embodiments, wall panels 12 includes hatches or “windows” for tent 10. These hatches or windows may be made of mesh to allow air circulation within tent 10 and to prevent insects from entering tent 10. They may also be made out of a transparent plastic to let in light. They may also simply be a hole in wall panel 12. The hatches or windows may include a retractable covering made out of the same lightweight material as wall panels 12. The covering may be held in place over the hatch or window by any means commonly used in the art, such as by zipper or hook and loop. There may be a number of straps along an edge of the hatch or window so that the covering may be rolled up or otherwise condensed when not covering the hatch or window, rather than hanging from it. The straps may be any of those commonly used in the art, such as simple ties or hook and loop.

Tent 10 also includes door 22. Door 22 includes a zipper 24 (emboldened in FIG. 1), door ties 26, and a door bottom 102. Door 22 is essentially a modified wall panel 12. Door 22 is made out of the same lightweight material as wall panels 12. Door 22 is at least large enough so that an average sized human may crawl into tent 10. Door 22 has a zipper 24 along every side but one so that door 22 may be retracted so that a user may enter tent 10. When zipped, zipper 24 secures door 22 in a closed position. In other embodiments, door 22 may be securably closed by any other means commonly used in the art, such as hook and loop. In embodiments of tent 10 that do not include a floor 56, zipper 24 does not extend along door bottom 102.

Door ties 26 may be on both the interior and exterior of tent 10 and may hold door 22 in a rolled up, folded, or squashed position to the side of the opening created when door 22 is opened along the path of zipper 24, so that door 22 does not hang when not secured closed by zipper 24. Although door ties 26 are depicted as simple strips of fabric, any similar fastener commonly used in the art, such as hook and loop, or loop and toggle button, may be substituted. Door bottom 102 is the bottom section of door 22 that is proximate to the bottom of tent 10 and the ground.

In some embodiments, door 22 may also include another securable layer, such as a mesh layer or a transparent plastic layer. Such layers may be secured to cover the opening created when door 22 is not secured closed, so that one may see in and out of tent 10 while not totally exposing the interior of tent 10 to the outside. These layers may also be secured by any means commonly used in the art, such as by zippers or hook and loop. These layers may be rolled up or otherwise condensed when not secured, and held in such a position by door ties 26.

Each support air passage 14 has a top 42, proximate to the top of tent 10, and an end 40, proximate to the bottom of tent 10. The inner circumference 75 (shown in FIG. 4B) of support air passages 14 are lined with hermetic sealant 74 (shown in FIG. 4B) so that they are airtight and may support tent 10 when inflated. Ends 40 are formed by the overlap of intersections 43 of adjacent wall panels 12. In the embodiment of the tent 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, ends 40 are sealed. In other embodiments, ends 40 may not be sealed, but instead intersect with a perimeter passage 54, as shown in FIG. 3. Tops 42 of support air passages 14 meet at the top area 44 at the top of tent 10. In some embodiments, top area 44 is also lined with hermetic sealant 74 as a continuation of support air passages 14. In this manner, the support structure of tent 10 remains airtight and reinforced. In the preferred embodiment, all support air passages 14 and top area 44 are connected to one another such that gas may pass between them without escaping to the exterior of tent 10, in a single integrated hermetically sealed unit. In other embodiments, support air passages 14 may be divided into a plurality of individually hermetically sealed units, at least one division of which will also include top area 44 within the hermetic seal.

This general configuration of top area 44 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the preferred embodiment, is also applicable to the embodiment of the present invention where tent 10 is a pyramid, cone, or teepee-style tent. In the embodiment of the present invention where tent 10 is a pup-style tent, tops 42 of support air passages 14 may intersect with another air passage that lies along the ridge of tent 10. This is also true of the embodiment of the present invention where tent 10 is a tunnel tent or hoop-style tent as depicted in and described with reference to FIG. 3.

Tent 10 also includes perimeter 46, which is emboldened in FIG. 2. Perimeter 46 has perimeter length 35, which is equal to the sum of each bottom edge length 45. Perimeter 46 also has a perimeter shape 37. Perimeter shape 37 is defined by the area enclosed by the ends 40 of support air passages 14. In the preferred embodiment, perimeter shape 37 is a regular hexagon, but it is understood that perimeter shape 37 will vary with the embodiment of the present invention. In particular, other preferred perimeter shapes 37 may be squares, octagons, or rectangles. Perimeter edges 36 are the edges of floor 56 of tent 10. Perimeter edges 36 intersect with bottom edges 38 of wall panels 12, including door bottom 102.

Tent 10 also includes floor 56. Floor 56 is preferably made out of at least one layer of the same lightweight material as wall panels 12. Floor 56 has a shape and size defined by perimeter 46. Each edge of floor 56 is a perimeter edge 36. Unless a wall panel 12 includes a hatch/window or door that reaches to the ground, each perimeter edge 36 is secured to a bottom edge 38 of a wall panel 12. In some embodiments, described, for example, with reference to FIG. 3, perimeter edges 36 of floor 56 and bottom edges 38 of wall panels 12 are secured in their mutual formation of a perimeter passage 54. In embodiments that do not include a perimeter passage 54, perimeter edges 36 and bottom edges 38 may be secured by any means commonly used in the art, such as stitching, gluing, and ultrasonic welding. In some embodiments that do not include perimeter passage 54, there may be no sealing between perimeter edges 36 and bottom edges 38. Rather the lightweight material of wall panels 12 may simply fold at the common edge and continue without breaking to serve as a portion or the totality of floor 56, as well as wall panel 12.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, floor 56 is a detached element from the rest of tent 10. In these embodiments, floor 56 is shaped and sized so as to be commensurate with perimeter 46 of tent 10. Such a floor 56 includes accessories placed so as to coordinate with the tent's accessories, such as grommets 20 (discussed below) or loops, which may be staked or otherwise secured to the ground along with tent 10. In these embodiments, tent 10 may include a separate barrier that may be attached to tent 10 to protect the inside of tent 10 from water that may be introduced to tent 10 through any gaps between tent 10 and detachable floor 56. In these embodiments, the user of tent 10 may choose not to bring floor 56 on his camping trip, thus lightening his load.

In some embodiments of the present invention, floor 56 is inflatable so that it is akin to a large air mattress. In this embodiment, floor 56 is a detached element from the rest of tent 10. This embodiment provides a level of comfort for the tent 10's user so that there is a cushion between his body and the ground when he lies down in tent 10, rather than merely a thin piece of material or no material at all. This aspect of the present invention may also eliminate the need for the user to bring a separate, bulky air mattress with him on his camping trip, thus reducing the amount he needs to carry with him if he is hiking, and saving space in his vehicle if he is driving.

Tent 10 also includes air input 18. As mentioned above, in the preferred embodiment, tent 10 includes only one air input 18, through which all support air passages 14 may be inflated. In other embodiments in which separate sections are hermetically sealed, each hermetically sealed section will require its own air input 18. Air input 18 is preferably proximate to a support air passage 14 such that gas may be introduced from the exterior of support air passages 14 to their interior. Air input 18 is preferably proximate to one of ends 40, but may be positioned anywhere on an air passage 14. Air input(s) 18 also serve as escape valves so that the air passages may be depressurized and the tent deflated.

Air input 18 may be adapted to receive several different inflating devices. In the preferred embodiment, air input 18 is a Schrader-type valve, which is used in combination with an adaptor 60 adapted to receive a compressed air cartridge 64 (both of which are shown in FIG. 5). This preferred air input 18 is also adapted to receive other compressed gas cartridges, such as compressed carbon dioxide or nitrogen. In other embodiments air input 18 may be adapted to receive any inflation devices commonly used in the art that are capable of producing pressure up to 100 psi, such as a hand or foot operated pump, an air compressor of the type usually operated off of a motor vehicle battery, or a portable battery operated pump. In other embodiments, air input 18 is adapted to receive an adaptor with several different heads, each of which may correspond to a different inflating device.

Tent 10 also includes grommets 20. Grommets 20 are preferably attached to each end 40 of each support air passage 14. Grommets 20 are essentially straps of sturdy material, with a hole in the end of them, attached to the bottom of tent 10 so that tent 10 may be secured to the ground. The spiked end 96 (shown in FIG. 6) of a stake 80 (shown in FIG. 6) may be positioned through the hole of grommet 20 and driven into the ground. The hooked end 98 (shown in FIG. 6) of stake 80 will catch onto the hole of grommet 20 so that tent 10 is secured to the ground. Although grommet 20 is preferred, any similar structure commonly used in the art, such as a fabric loop or strap, may be substituted. Some embodiments of the present invention do not include grommets 20, as it is understood that when tent 10 holds items commonly found in a tent, such as backpacks, bedding, and people, it is unlikely to need to be secured to the ground. In embodiments that include grommets 20, they are provided as a redundant means to keep tent 10 on the ground and to address particularly windy conditions where tent 10 may blow away even when weighted down from the inside. All embodiments of the present invention that do not include a floor 56 as an integral part of tent 10 include grommets 20.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the present invention, tunnel tent 100 is in the shape of a tunnel or hoop tent. Tunnel tent 100 includes sections 55, wall panels 12, support air passages 14, perimeter passage 54, ridgeline air passage 57, floor 56, door 22, air input 18, and a number of grommets 20. Although tunnel tent 100 is depicted in FIG. 3 as having only two sections 55, it is understood that tunnel tent 100 may have fewer or greater than two sections.

Tunnel tent 100 includes perimeter passage 54. Perimeter passage 54 extends along the entire perimeter 46 of tunnel tent 100, and is dimensioned to be inflated like support air passages 14. The inner circumference of perimeter passage 54 is lined with hermetic sealant 74 like support air passages 14. Perimeter passage 54 is integral to the bottom edges 38 of wall panels 12 and preferably connected with ends 40 of support air passages 14 such that gas may pass between them without escaping to the exterior of support air passages 14. In other embodiments, perimeter passage 54 may be individually hermetically sealed, separately from support air passages 14; it may be divided into sections, each of which is individually hermetically sealed and separate from support air passages 14; or either the entire perimeter passage 54 or a division thereof may be connected with an individually hermetically sealed division of support air passages 14. In some embodiments, the tent may not include any floor. In such embodiments, perimeter passage 54 is formed by a looping over of bottom edges 38 of wall panels 12, such that there is only one sealing 65 (shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B) necessary to seal the perimeter passage 54.

Tunnel tent 100 includes ridgeline air passage 57. Ridgeline air passage 57 is a straight air passage that runs along the length of the apex of tunnel tent 100, intersecting all support air passages 14.

Tunnel tent 100 includes floor 56. Floor 56 is one layer of the lightweight material out of which wall panels 12 are made. Door 22 is depicted open, rolled up, and tied with door ties 26. In this embodiment, the path of zipper 24 is along the arc of tunnel tent 100. Air input 18 and grommets 20 are as described in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views of support air passages 14 of the preferred embodiment and an alternative embodiment of the present invention, respectively. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict how support air passages 14 are formed. FIGS. 4A and 4B include wall panels 12, their overlap 68, edges 122 of overlap 68, support air passage 14, opening 104, opening edges 73, opening width 69, and sealing 65. The preferred embodiment of the present invention with preferred sealing 65 is shown in FIG. 4A and includes ultrasonic welding 67. The alternative sealing 65 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4B and includes stitching 70, glue line 72, and hermetic sealant 74. Although two rows of stitching 70 and one glue line 72 are depicted, it is understood that there may be fewer or greater than two rows of stitching 70 and greater than one glue line 72. In some embodiments, stitching 70 is not in straight rows, but in criss-cross or zig-zag patterns along the length of opening 104. FIG. 4B depicts the inner circumference 75 (emboldened) of support air passage 14, which is related to the opening width 69 of opening 104, as depicted in FIG. 4A.

In either embodiment, support air passage 14 is formed by the overlap 68 of the side edges 41 of two adjacent wall panels 12. Side edges 41 of adjacent wall panels 12 are overlapped between 1 and 2 inches. The center 3/16 to ¼ inches of this overlap 68 are left as an opening 104 that will be support air passage 14. Opening 104 has at least one opening edge 73. Opening edge 73 is essentially a seam that runs the length of opening 104, parallel to overlap 68. The remaining portion of overlap 68 of wall panels 12 on either side of opening 104 is sealed in a sealing 65.

FIG. 4A depicts the preferred sealing 65. The preferred sealing 65 is achieved by lines of ultrasonic welding 67, on either side of opening 104, along the length of overlap 68, and parallel to opening 104. In the preferred embodiment, a lining of hermetic sealant 74 is coated along the entire inner circumference 75 of opening 104. Hermetic sealant 74 may be thin wall rubber or contact cement. Hermetic sealant 74 will hermetically seal opening 104 to form support air passage 14 that supports tent 10 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), tent 100 (shown in FIG. 3), or any other tent of the present invention. Not only does hermetic sealant 74 make support air passages 14 airtight, but it also reinforces support air passages 14, making them slightly more rigid than wall panels 12, even when not inflated. This is desirable for a more stable tent. Hermetic sealant 74 is not so rigid, however, that it cannot be folded, bent, rolled, squashed, etc., without compromising its nature, as is necessary for a collapsible tent that will be transported in a condensed package.

FIG. 4B depicts the alternative sealing 65. The alternative sealing 65 is achieved by lines of stitching 70, on either side of opening 104, along the length of overlap 68, and parallel to opening 104. At least one glue line 72 is also included on either side of opening 104 at the edges 122 of overlap 68, along the length of overlap 68, and parallel to opening 104. A lining of hermetic sealant 74 (depicted in shading) is also included in this alternative embodiment. In the embodiment shown, hermetic sealant 74 extends partially into overlap 68 toward edges 122. In other embodiments, hermetic sealant 74 lines only circumference 75 and does not extend toward edges 122.

Opening width 69 is the width of overlap 68 that does not include sealing 65. Opening width 69 is the same on each side edge 41 of the adjacent wall panels 12 that form overlap 68. The measure of inner circumference 75 is thus twice that of opening width 69. FIG. 4A depicts support air passage 14 uninflated, and thus displays opening width 69. FIG. 4B depicts support air passage 14 as it would be inflated, and thus displays inner circumference 75. Although support air passage 14 is depicted in FIG. 4B as being substantially oblong, it is understood that support air passage 14 may be rounder in shape.

In either of these embodiments, sealing 65 is secure enough to withstand pressure of up to 100 psi, making the support air passages 14 very rigid when inflated. The support air passages 14 are also very narrow, their inner circumference 75 being only ⅜ to ½ of an inch. These low volume, high pressure support air passages 14 are thus similar to tent poles in conventional tents in their rigidity and size.

FIG. 5 is a blowup cutaway view of the preferred inflation set-up 300 of the present invention. This view includes air input 18, threads 58, adaptor 60, teeth 62, point 106, inflating device 61, compressed air cartridge 64, mouth 66, and airtight passage 108. Although the preferred embodiment includes compressed air cartridge 64 as inflating device 61, it is understood that this embodiment of air input 18 may also be used with other compressed gas cartridges, such as those for carbon dioxide and nitrogen. In other embodiments air input 18 may be adapted to receive any inflation devices 61 commonly used in the art, such as a hand or foot operated pump, an air compressor of the type usually operated off of a motor vehicle battery, or a portable battery operated pump.

Air input 18 is preferably a Schrader-type valve with threads 58. Adaptor 60 allows the connection of a standard Schrader-type valve and a standard compressed gas cartridge. Adaptor 60 includes teeth 62 on one end and point 106 on the other end. Teeth 60 clamp onto the threads 58 of air input 18 such that air cannot escape between threads 58 and teeth 60. Compressed air cartridge 64 is preferably of a standard size, particularly of a size holding 48 cubic inches of air at 3000 psi. Compressed air cartridge 64 has a mouth 66 out of which air may be released, and into which air may be refilled. The end of adaptor 60 that comprises point 106 fits into mouth 66 of compressed air cartridge 64 such that air cannot escape between adaptor 60 and mouth 66. Thus, when adaptor 60 is properly positioned, it creates airtight passage 108 between air input 18 and compressed air cartridge 64. Point 106 may engage mouth 66 such that compressed air is released from compressed air cartridge 66 and flows through airtight passage 108 and air input 18 into support air passages 14 and/or perimeter passage 54 (shown in other FIGS. 1-3). The compressed air will spread quickly through the various inflatable passages of the tent so that the tent may be quickly and easily erected.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of a preferred embodiment of the carrier of the present invention. The preferred carrier is sack 200 having drawstring 94 disposed at sack top end 116. Interior 118 of sack 200 has two compressed gas cartridge compartments 114, stake compartment 78, and patch kit compartment 82. The exterior of sack 200 includes several attachment devices 89, such as snap attachment 90 and carabiner attachment 92. Sack 200 is made of a sturdy lightweight material, such as nylon. This material may be the same material out of which wall panels 12 are made. It is not shown in FIG. 6, but understood that the remaining space within sack 200 is reserved to hold the tent when not erected.

Interior 118 of sack 200 includes two compressed gas cartridge compartments 114. Compressed gas cartridge compartments 114 include straps 76, and are dimensioned to secure compressed air cartridges 64 or other compressed gas cartridges. One compressed air cartridge 64 or other compressed gas cartridge should be sufficient to inflate tent 10. A second compressed gas cartridge compartment 114 may be included to hold a second compressed air cartridge 64 or other compressed gas cartridge for subsequent inflations, mishaps, and emergencies. Straps 76 wrap around compressed air cartridges 64 and secure them in place, preferably by hook and loop.

Interior 118 of sack 200 also includes stake compartment 78. Stake compartment 78 is affixed to the inside material of sack 200 by sewing or other common affixation means. Stake compartment 78 is disposed proximate to sack top end 116 for ease of access. Stake compartment 78 holds a number of stakes 80. For the sake of clarity, stakes 80 are depicted on stake compartment 78, but it is understood that they are actually within stake compartment 78. The number of stakes 80 that stake compartment 78 holds is at least as great as the number of grommets 20 included with the tent of the present invention. Stakes 80 are preferably made of metal or plastic and have a spiked end 96 and a hooked end 98. Spiked end 96 may be driven into the ground, and hooked end 98 may catch onto grommet 20 such that it holds grommet 20, and hence the tent of the present invention, securely to the ground.

Interior 118 of sack 200 also includes a patch kit compartment 82. Patch kit compartment 82 holds patch kit 81. Patch kit 81 is included in the event that one of the inflatable portions of the tent is punctured or otherwise damaged, or the lightweight material of the wall panels, floor, or door is ripped. Patch kit 81 may include a small patch of the lightweight material 88, a small pair of scissors 120, adhesive 112, a small container 84 of hermetic sealant 74 (not shown), and tool 86 for applying hermetic sealant 74. For the sake of clarity, these elements of patch kit 81 are depicted on patch kit compartment 82, but it is understood that they are actually within patch kit compartment 82. Patch of lightweight material 88 may be cut to size with scissors 120 to cover any rips in the same material on the tent. Adhesive 112 may affix it in place. Adhesive 112 may be any adhesive commonly used in the art, such as glue or tape, that will adequately secure the pieces of lightweight material together and is waterproof. Patch of lightweight material 88 may also be affixed into place with hermetic sealant 74, which is contained in container 84, and which may be applied with tool 86. Hermetic sealant 74 may also be applied with tool 86 to any punctures in the inflatable portions of the tent to repair the puncture and make the inflatable portion airtight once more.

The exterior of sack 200 includes a number of attachment devices 89. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 6 includes snap attachment 90 and carabiner attachment 92. Snap attachment 90 and carabiner attachment 92 include sturdy straps affixed to the exterior of sack 200 that extend away from sack 200 and end in an attachment. The straps may be affixed to the exterior of sack 200 in any manner commonly used in the art, such as by stitching or gluing. Each end of snap attachment 90 includes one part of a snap commonly used in the art. One end of carabiner attachment 92 includes a carabiner clamp 93 and the other end includes a loop onto which the carabiner clamp 93 may clamp. It is understood that any other attachment devices commonly used in the art, such as hooks, buckles, and ties, may be substituted or added to this embodiment.

It is noted that this is just one of many possible embodiments of the carrier. The carrier may be a backpack, or other type of carrier. There may be only one compressed gas cartridge compartment 114, for example. Compressed air cartridge 64 may be positioned upright. Compressed gas cartridge compartment 114 may be a complete enclosure, rather than just straps 76. The inflating device 61 may not be a compressed gas cartridge at all, but a pump, for example. Stake compartment 78 and patch kit compartment 82 may be free floating within the carrier, rather than affixed to its side. The carrier may have more, less, or different types of attachment devices 89.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 

1. A tent comprising: a plurality of wall panels made out of a lightweight material, wherein each of said plurality of wall panels comprises: a bottom edge wherein said bottom edge comprises: two bottom edge sides; and a bottom edge length wherein said bottom edge length is equal to the distance between said two bottom edge sides; at least two side edges; and an intersection of said at least two bottom edge sides and said at least two side edges; and a plurality of air passages integral to and formed from said lightweight material of said wall panels, said air passages comprising: an overlap of two of said side edges of two of said wall panels wherein said wall panels are adjacent to one another; an opening for said air passage within said overlap, wherein said opening comprises at least one opening edge parallel to said overlap; at least one sealing of said overlap parallel to said at least one opening edge; an inner circumference wherein said inner circumference has a measure equal to twice the width of said opening; a hermetic sealant lining said inner circumference of said air passages; and a plurality of ends proximate to said intersections of said wall panels that form said overlap; and a perimeter comprising a perimeter length and a shape; wherein said perimeter length is equal to the sum of each of said bottom edge lengths of said bottom edges of said wall panels; and wherein said shape is defined by the area enclosed by said plurality of ends of said air passages.
 2. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lightweight material is chosen from the group consisting of Oregon Nylon Oxford brand nylon, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, composite vx-21 fabric, spectra, 1050 denier ballistic nylon, event fabric, silicone impregnated ripstop nylon, cuben fiber reinforced spinnaker fabric, event 3-layer waterproof/breathable fabric, Polartec Powershield by Malden Mills, EPIC by Nextec microfiber, sleek nylon, flexible thermoplastic material, polyester fabric, Griffolya Co. plastic laminate, nylon cloth reinforced, plasticized polyvinyl chloride polymer film, and rubberized fabric
 3. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing comprises: at least one row of stitching along said at least one opening edge of said opening; and at least one glue line parallel to said at least one row of stitching.
 4. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing comprises ultrasonic welding.
 5. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing can withstand pressure up to 100 psi.
 6. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said opening is between 3/16″ and ¼″.
 7. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hermetic sealant is chosen from the group consisting of rubber cement and contact cement.
 8. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hermetic sealing extends at least partially into said overlap.
 9. The tent as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one air input proximate to said air passages such that gas may be introduced from the exterior of said air passages to the interior of said air passages.
 10. The tent as claimed in claim 9, wherein said at least one air input is dimensioned and arranged to accept a compressed gas cartridge.
 11. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of air passages is a single integrated hermetically sealed unit.
 12. The tent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of air passages are divided into a plurality of individually hermetically sealed units.
 13. The tent as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a floor made out of said lightweight material: wherein said floor comprises a size and shape; wherein said size and shape of said floor are commensurate with the space defined by said perimeter; wherein said floor further comprises a plurality of perimeter edges that extend between said plurality of ends that are adjacent to one another; and wherein at least one of said bottom edges of said plurality of wall panels is attached to at least one of said perimeter edges of said floor.
 14. The tent as claimed in claim 13, wherein said floor forms an air mattress.
 15. The tent as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a perimeter passage; wherein said perimeter passage extends along the entirety of said perimeter of said tent; wherein said perimeter passage is integral to at least one of said bottom edges of said wall panels; and wherein said perimeter passage is dimensioned to be inflated.
 16. A kit comprising: a tent comprising: a plurality of wall panels made out of a lightweight material, wherein each of said plurality of wall panels comprises: a bottom edge wherein said bottom edge comprises: two bottom edge sides; and a bottom edge length wherein said bottom edge length is equal to the distance between said two bottom edge sides; at least two side edges; and an intersection of said at least two bottom edge sides and said at least two side edges; and a plurality of air passages integral to and formed from said lightweight material of said wall panels, said air passages comprising: an overlap of two of said side edges of two of said wall panels wherein said wall panels are adjacent to one another; an opening for said air passage within said overlap, wherein said opening comprises at least one opening edge parallel to said overlap; at least one sealing of said overlap parallel to said at least one opening edge; an inner circumference equal in distance to twice the width of said opening; a hermetic sealant lining said inner circumference of said air passages; and a plurality of ends proximate to said intersections of said wall panels that form said overlap; and a perimeter comprising a perimeter length and a shape; wherein said perimeter length is equal to the sum of each of said bottom edge lengths of said bottom edges of said wall panels; and wherein said shape is defined by the area enclosed by said plurality of ends of said air passages; and an inflating device.
 17. The kit as claimed in claim 16: wherein said kit further comprises a patch kit, a carrier, and a plurality of stakes each of which comprises a spiked end and a hooked end; wherein said tent further comprises a plurality of grommets affixed to said plurality of ends of said air passages; and wherein each of said plurality of stakes is dimensioned to fit through one of said plurality of grommets such that said spiked end may be driven into the earth and said hooked end may engage said one of said plurality of grommets and secure said one of said plurality of grommets to the earth.
 18. The kit as claimed in claim 16, wherein said inflating device is a compressed gas cartridge.
 19. The kit as claimed in claim 17, wherein said patch kit comprises: an area of said lightweight material; glue; a pair of scissors; a quantity of hermetic sealant; a container for holding said quantity of hermetic sealant; and an application tool, wherein said application tool is dimensioned and arranged to apply said hermetic sealant.
 20. The kit as claimed in claim 17, wherein said carrier is a sack comprising a plurality of attachment devices; wherein said sack is of essentially cylindrical shape when filled; wherein said sack comprises a top end, said top end comprising a drawstring closure; and wherein said sack comprises a plurality of compartments, said compartments dimensioned to accept elements of said kit. 